(Not so) Go faster valve caps

[Nick67GT]

As a stocking filler last Christmas, one of my lads bought me a set of genuine Audi valve caps. Any pretty damned smart they looked too when I fitted them on Boxing Day.

Fast forward to last weekend when I was heading down the M5 and the low pressure tyre pressure warning light comes on accompanied by the usual gong sound. Luckily, I was just approaching Gloucester services so I pulled in to investigate further.

Free air! declared the sign, so we're in business.

Could I get the valve caps off - could I hell. Even using some borrowed water pump pliers they wouldn't shift. The next Audi dealer is 18 miles away and none of the tyres looked any different to the others so we decide to risk it. Got there OK and saw a guy in the service area who couldn't have been more helpful. He grabbed one of the techs who managed get all 4 off, then checked the pressures and reset the system.



Cost? absolutely nothing - not even a contribution to the tea & biscuit fund (it's all provided sir) or a pint each (we're not allowed to accept tips). So a nice letter to their boss followed.

Cause? good old steel / aluminium galling seizing the cap on to the valve - my fault really, should have put a smear of cooper grease on them - Doh!

Good job I kept the old plastic caps and pretty damned smart they look too......

 

[armalites]

In fairness is does clearly state "Valve caps for aluminium valves"

 

[Spark plug]

Are valve stems not normally brass?

 

[PhillipM]

Yep, they sieze like buggery to aluminium caps, I've had to cut them off cars before and just replace the valve.

 

[brightspark]

had to cut them of mates and daughters audi I slit them down with a dremmel and small diamond slitting disk and prised them open with a small screwdriver no damage to the threads

 

[hotponyshoes]

Pipe freezer spray normally shifts them.

Those caps might not be the right ones for your wheels mate,
I think it's the Audi q7's and the R8 etc normally come with a bolted in alloy / stainless valve stem rather than the rubber ones.
They do similar ones for rubber stems but they are plastic lined

 

[Screwdriver]

Worst ones I've seen are pressure indicating valve caps. A clear plastic top is glued on (see where this is going?) and through it you can see a little red/green indicator.

You don't have to stop, bend down and look; when the top goes flying past your ear you know your tyre is flat!

 

[Rocketman]

As a stocking filler last Christmas, one of my lads bought me a set of genuine Audi valve caps. Any pretty damned smart they looked too when I fitted them on Boxing Day.

Fast forward to last weekend when I was heading down the M5 and the low pressure tyre pressure warning light comes on accompanied by the usual gong sound. Luckily, I was just approaching Gloucester services so I pulled in to investigate further.

Free air! declared the sign, so we're in business.

Could I get the valve caps off - could I hell. Even using some borrowed water pump pliers they wouldn't shift. The next Audi dealer is 18 miles away and none of the tyres looked any different to the others so we decide to risk it. Got there OK and saw a guy in the service area who couldn't have been more helpful. He grabbed one of the techs who managed get all 4 off, then checked the pressures and reset the system.

View attachment 139658

Cost? absolutely nothing - not even a contribution to the tea & biscuit fund (it's all provided sir) or a pint each (we're not allowed to accept tips). So a nice letter to their boss followed.

Cause? good old steel / aluminium galling seizing the cap on to the valve - my fault really, should have put a smear of cooper grease on them - Doh!

Good job I kept the old plastic caps and pretty damned smart they look too......

Been using aluminium caps for 20 years + now, it's simple put a bit of copper grease on the threads and it doesn't happen.

Yes I was stung first time and they seized - lesson learnt.

Really it's as simple as that a bit of copper grease and they are fine, obviously every now and again reapply.

Edit - The biggest problem is people stealing them. It does bring a slight smile to my face thinking the toe rag will probably have them seized if not greased.